Funding boost for East Haven Together and Strathie Sharks

Two Angus groups have enjoyed a windfall from a fund aimed at helping communities prepare for this winter and the years ahead.

East Haven Together is to receive £3,420 from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ (SSEN) Resilient Communities Fund, while Strathmore Sharks Rugby Club has landed a £2,000 grant.

The East Haven money will strengthen the community’s readiness for extreme weather events by taking a whole community approach to resilience.

Strathie Sharks will buy a defibrillator for their Inchmacoble Park ground in Forfar.

The Angus groups are among seven organisations sharing more than £32,000 to help them become more resilient and prepare for winter storms.

Other recipients included Coupar Angus and Bendochy Community Council, which will receive £1,890 to supply 300 Floodsax bags, and Aberuthven Village Hall Trust, which is receiving £4,371 to provide a defibrillator, training and storage for the village community.

An award of £15,000 is going to Perth First Responders (PFR) to help buy a new emergency response vehicle so the volunteer organisation can continue to operate as one of the few deployable first-responder teams in Scotland.

PFR answer 999 calls in areas where it may be difficult for the Scottish Ambulance Service to reach within its allotted time.

They can start life-saving treatment while the ambulance is on its way and cover Perthshire, Dundee and the Fife coast.

The fund was established to support community groups, charities and non-profit organisations in SSEN’S distribution network area, offering grants of up to £20,000 to successful applications.

It is particularly focused on projects ensuring vulnerable or isolated people are supported in significant emergency events.